I realise I'm clutching at straws now that Forza 5 has been announced for Xbox One, but please make PGR5 happen Microsoft. This game alone would make me hand over money for the new console, and it would hopefully scratch an itch that has remained an irritant for almost six years. Realistically, I reckon Forza 5 will have more than a hint of PGR about it.
While DRM and how Sony and Microsoft will use it on their next consoles is a big deal, I don't think we'll hear much at all about it during the pre-E3 conferences. If either platform holder has any sense they'll get all the potentially controversial news out via FAQs before they take to the stage*, and then let the games do the talking with a series of live demonstrations on Monday.
*Editor's note: Tom Orry has amazingly good prediction skills, writing this 24 hours before Microsoft did just that.
Killer Instinct is repeatedly subject to rumours about its return, but as I say every year, I just don't think a return to the fighter as we know it would be successful. Fighting games are a hard sell, especially when that game is completely unknown to anyone under the age of 20 who's not into the retro gaming scene. Bring it back as Microsoft's answer to God of War and I'll be interested, but cling to the past and it'll bomb.
Since it was released back in 2009 I’ve been a little obsessed with Dragon Age, and this is why I want Dragon Age III to properly revealed at this year’s E3. We all know it exists. We all know (kinda) that it’s coming to next-generation platforms and despite the slightly hit and miss sequel, there are millions of people out there, just like me, that want this game. It’ll be the best RPG of all-time*.
Gears Of War 4 must be shown off at Microsoft’s press conference. Although I hope there’s the equivalent (people forget that the original entry in the franchise was the showpiece for the 360) I’m ready for a proper new instalment. Judgment was fine, but I’d be far more excited for a version that had the all-important 4 stuck on the end of it.
I love Nintendo, even though I’m yet to find a reason to buy a Wii U. I think this E3 is going to be huge for the Japanese publisher, and it would be near perfect if Zelda Wii U in HD was announced. I was on-board with the tech demo that was released at E3 in 2011, and that idea stretched out into an entire game is more than alright with me. It’s been a long time coming.
*Sweeping statement
I couldn't shut up about Heavy Rain, I'm well hyped for Beyond: Two Souls, and the reveal of a new Quantic Dream game for PS4 would quite literally turn my annual E3 frown upside down. Last year's Kara tech demo got me well excited so a game based on this would do just fine.
We've seen the CGI tease but I want to see what EA's next generation sports engine can do in-game. FIFA has looked more of less the same for the last few years, so a jump in visuals is very much needed – I just hope the transition to a new generation doesn't mean EA Sports resets the feature list too.
Nintendo's Wii U is in a bit of bad way right now, but it has the IP to turn things around. Next gen FIFA and a PS4 title from Quantic Dream would be great, but seeing Nintendo roll out Wii U versions of Mario Kart, Wave Race and Pilot Wings would be amazeballs! Chances are it'll only be Mario Kart, but I can dream.
Of all of next week's announcements, Respawn's TitanFall is the one I'm most curious about. Not necessarily because of the game itself (which, if the mech shooter rumours are true, would certainly be an interesting change of direction for the Call of Duty creators), but the politics behind it. Is it still an EA Partners title? Is it an Xbox exclusive? And if it is, what does that mean for EA's relationship with Sony? Hopefully, we'll have all the answers next week.
Going by the evidence, Dead Rising 3 has been in development for yonks – and what better way to show off the Xbox One's zillions of transistors and raging gigaflops than with thousands of zombies shuffling about on-screen? The original was known for pushing the Xbox 360 early on in its life cycle, and it's likely history will repeat itself here.
And, of course, Mirror’s Edge 2. This about sums it up. Because a product doesn't appear on EA's support page for nothing, does it?
Left 4 Dead 3 is a long shot, sure. But then no-one expected Valve to announce L4D2 at E3 2009, and when they did people moaned about it. Anyway, more L4D can only be a good thing as far as I'm concerned: the original is my personally favourite game of the generation, and news that L4D 3 had popped up in some Steam directories (even if that is nonsense) made me very happy indeed.
Then there’s Call of Duty: Ghosts. After a shaky reveal that left everyone asking more questions about a bloody dog than anything else, it'll be interesting to see what Activision shows next. Generally at E3 the firm shows a playthrough of a single-player mission: if they show the one I've already seen (at last month's pre-reveal) then people might be disappointed. Just show us loads of multiplayer and it'll all be fine.
After a frankly mental teaser campaign that had people throwing out more insane guesses than a Catchphrase contestant on acid, we now have (some) idea what Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is. Either way, Kojima always pushes the hardware he works on, and this should be no exception. I'm eagerly awaiting/dreading a spectacular/barmy showing at E3.
We’ve talked about this a couple of times on the podcast now, but I can absolutely see Microsoft being forgiven for all that TV nonsense last month. If they come out swinging and show off a really strong lineup of games; our defences will crumble immediately. We’ll try to hold on to the anger and the disappointment, but with each new game, it will become harder and harder to remember exactly why we don’t want an entertainment hub, instead of just another games console. Dammit...
Chris note: I wrote this prediction prior to last night's DRM news. Whelp.
Square Enix are likely to be showing off a new Final Fantasy game at this year’s E3, after their unbelievably cheeky appearance at Sony’s gig in February. Recent form may suggest otherwise, but I’m going to say that Final Fantasy XV is the game that starts to heal some of the hurts left by recent titles. It may well be based around a similar theme to that Agni's Philosophy tech demo they keep showing us... and you know what? That’s cool with me. Just show us something different this time!
My final prediction is a particularly brave one! I’m going out on a limb here and saying that the connection between the Xbox exclusive, Quantum Break and its accompanying television series, will be about as impactful as that Modern Warfare 2 boycott. Do you remember when everyone got excited about the link between Defiance: The Game and Defiance: The TV show? Yeah, neither do I.
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